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News Releases
OHA has released an online dashboard that will chronicle the ongoing progress from more than $230 million in behavioral health investments - 03/15/24

March 15, 2024

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459,

timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov

OHA has released an online dashboard that will chronicle the ongoing progress from more than $230 million in behavioral health investments

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has released a supplemental online dashboard that will chronicle the ongoing progress from more than $230 million in behavioral health investments.

The emerging capacity was funded through legislation in 2021, that is projected to create more than 1,000 behavioral health housing units and residential treatment beds by the end of 2025.

OHA distributed these funds to providers over the past two years to bolster behavioral health housing and residential treatment throughout the state.

This dashboard spotlights the two recent major behavioral health housing funding streams.

It is an offshoot of the Behavioral Housing and Treatment dashboard  that was unveiled last November.

When completed, the projects will increase the state’s behavioral health housing capacity by about 20 percent.

The dashboard will track two separate funding streams:

  • Approximately $100 million in grants awarded to every Oregon county. And approximately $130 million awarded to statewide social service providers.
  • Together those revenues will yield nearly 500 residential treatment beds and more than 550 behavioral health housing units.

Residential treatment beds are licensed by the state and are round the clock services and supports for people with chronic behavioral health challenges. Behavioral health housing units are not licensed by the state and serve as transitional settings from people experiencing homelessness to stable housing.

The new supplemental dashboard details spending by funding source and by county, along with timelines, projected outcomes and populations being served.

The earlier dashboard includes the full portfolio of behavioral housing investments. Those include the investments highlighted in the new dashboard, along with new funding sources such as Measure 110, and historical investments.   

Timelines for such projects can typically take years to complete because of the complexities of acquiring sites, building expenses and other construction-related factors. The calculations include development costs such as purchasing real estate, facility renovations, not operating revenues.

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OHA Director visits Willamette Valley as part of regional tours - 03/13/24

March 13, 2024

Media contact: Cassie Call, cassie.call@oha.oregon.gov, 503-351-2416

OHA Director visits Willamette Valley as part of regional tours

(Salem, OR) Today, the director of Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, completed a three-day visit to counties in the Willamette Valley to learn firsthand from local leaders, providers and advocates about the challenges facing people in the area.

In this visit, Dr. Hathi met with local public health and mental health officials, non-profit partners, and healthcare providers from the counties of Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill. This is the third of seven regional visits Dr. Hathi is conducting after stepping into the OHA director role.

“The people I’ve met over the past couple of days – from providers to housing support specialists – have reaffirmed for me that you don’t have to be in a clinic to provide care,” said Dr. Hathi. “Care is community and it’s about how we take care of the whole person that will dictate their well-being and their ability to achieve their full potential.”

[Here is a link to the video of what Dr. Hathi said she observed during her visit to the Willamette Valley]

Dr. Hathi ended her time in Lebanon (Linn County) with a tour of Colonia Paz, an affordable housing complex. Colonia Paz follows a developmental model of community-built housing, offering multi-bilingual supportive services in the areas of health, education, and employment. OHA’s Community Partner Outreach Program partners with Colonia Paz through the Healthier Oregon Program, which helps individuals and families to navigate health care services and enroll in the Oregon Health Plan.

Dr. Hathi will spend the next several months visiting all major regions in Oregon – spending time with community leaders, health care providers, Tribal leaders, local public health and mental health officials, and non-profit partners about their biggest needs from the state and the state health agency – to ensure those are represented and addressed as she shapes the agency’s next chapter.

[Here is a link] to B-roll footage, an audio file and still pictures from Dr. Hathi's most recent trip.

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OHA endorses CDC's new respiratory virus guidance - 03/13/24

March 13, 2024

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA endorses CDC’s new respiratory virus guidance

Staying home when sick among recommended steps for preventing COVID-19, flu, RSV, other respiratory viruses

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon health officials are endorsing new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance that codifies recent recommendations for limiting the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Epidemiologists with the Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section at OHA’s Public Health Division distributed a statewide Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory to remind clinicians, preparedness staff, laboratories and public health agencies about the new Respiratory Virus Guidance. The CDC launched the guidance March 1.

“This updated guidance represents a milestone in bringing a range of respiratory viruses under a single set of recommendations for preventing transmission in communities, and it aligns with changes made in Oregon in May 2023,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. “Oregon fully supports this approach for lowering health risks posed by these viruses. While many are ready to move on from any discussion of COVID-19, respiratory viruses are still impacting many of us. If we all take these steps, we can help to keep our loved ones healthy.”

The updated guidance advises people with respiratory symptoms to stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and their symptoms are improving. They also urge people to protect those around them – older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems, with disabilities or who are pregnant – by taking additional precautions for the next five days to curb disease spread, including:

  1. Wearing a well-fitting mask.
  2. Taking steps for cleaner air, such as by opening windows, using air purifiers and gathering outdoors.
  3. Keeping a distance from others.
  4. Enhancing hygiene practices, such as covering cough and sneezes, and washing hands.
  5. Getting tested to inform your actions to prevent spread to others.

The updated guidance also recommends people stay up to date with immunizations, which are available for COVID-19, influenza and RSV.

The isolation recommendations outlined above are intended for people in most settings across Oregon, but not in health care settings. Recommendations regarding COVID-19 in health care settings are available here.

More information about updated federal guidance is available on a Background for CDC’s Updated Respiratory Virus Guidance page, and on an FAQ page. CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 in health care settings is available here.

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Oregon State Hospital Superintendent Announces Retirement - 03/11/24

March 11, 2024

Media Contact: Amber Shoebridge, amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov, 503-931-9586

Oregon State Hospital Superintendent Announces Retirement

(Salem, OR) Oregon State Hospital (OSH) Superintendent Dolly Matteucci has announced her retirement after 36 years of service to state hospitals in Oregon and California. Her last day on campus will be Friday, March 29.

Dolly Matteucci

“A major life decision like this is never easy and required a great deal of thought to get here,” said Matteucci. “Over the years I have learned that in our world, change is always afoot, challenges will always exist, and opportunities to grow and improve are endless. There will never be the perfect time to say goodbye, and my time is now.”

Matteucci started her career in 1987 as a registered dietitian at California Department of State Hospitals – Napa. She spent the majority of her professional career there, culminating in eight years of service as its executive director (California’s version of Oregon’s superintendent position) before joining OSH in 2018.

"Dolly Matteucci has done an amazing job leading the Oregon State Hospital during an incredibly complex and challenging period in the hospital's history,” said OHA Director Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA. “Dolly’s devotion to the safety of patients and staff during the COVID pandemic and beyond will be felt for years to come. While I am sad to see her go, I respect her decision and wish her only the very best in her retirement.”

Under Matteucci’s leadership, OSH experienced no patient deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic – nor did any of its patients require hospitalization for the virus. While COVID-19 tore through other congregate settings across the nation and Oregon – from nursing homes to state correctional facilities – OSH did not record a single positive patient case until eight months into the pandemic. 

During her six years, OSH has transitioned to a primarily forensic facility. The average daily population of patients under aid and assist orders increased from 228 in 2018 to 385 in 2023. The hospital reached an interim settlement agreement reached in 2021 with Disability Rights Oregon and Metropolitan Public Defenders that has moved issues out of the courtroom and into a collaborative space to better address OSH and community behavioral health service capacity.

This work has had an effect on OSH treatment and operations, as well as on the hospital’s partners in the behavioral health continuum, courts and communities. The hospital regained compliance with a court order to admit patients under aid and assist and GEI orders within seven days beginning July 20, 2023 and remained so through Dec. 22, 2023. OSH has been back in compliance as of Jan. 24, 2024.

OSH Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Sara Walker, MD will serve as interim superintendent beginning March 30 while continuing to maintain her CMO responsibilities. She began at OSH in September 2006 as a unit psychiatrist and served as Chief of Psychiatry from 2014 to 2020, when she was named CMO.

OHA will lead a national recruitment effort to identify OSH’s next superintendent.

About OSH

Oregon State Hospital (OSH), a division of Oregon Health Authority (OHA), provides patient-centered psychiatric treatment for adults with mental illness from throughout the state. The hospital’s primary goal is to help patients achieve a level of functioning that allows them to successfully transition back to the community. With two campuses, one in Salem and one in Junction City, OSH employs more than 2,700 people and served more than 1,800 unique patients in 2023.

OSH must follow federal and state hospital licensing laws. OSH is certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is accredited by The Joint Commission. OSH provides the highest level of care in the most restrictive environment within the behavioral health continuum of care for persons committed from across Oregon’s 36 counties. OSH serves a broad patient population, including many people with co-occurring disorders, those impacted by structural racism and social injustice, and disproportionally represented in the criminal justice system.

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OHA partners with 44 community organizations to continue expanding public health efforts across Oregon - 03/06/24

March 6, 2024

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA partners with 44 community organizations to continue expanding public health efforts across Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Public Health Division has awarded funding to 44 new community-based organizations (CBOs) to support public health equity-based work in their communities.

In 2023, the Oregon Legislature approved about $16.95 million to support the CBO grants. The funding will also support training and technical assistance. The new grant recipients will join the existing 150 organizations currently funded by OHA Public Health Equity grants.

The OHA Public Health Division recognizes the essential role that CBOs, including faith-based organizations and community groups, play in guiding and supporting culturally and linguistically responsive public health work, in partnership with local and state public health agencies. The new funding opportunity aims to keep health equity and community priorities at the forefront of public health work.

The selection process of grantees in this second cohort prioritized specific geographic locations and priority populations to increase the reach of funds across the state. As a result, grant awardees represent organizations located in rural communities; urban communities with service gaps; organizations that address the public health concerns and priorities of people who live with disabilities; and organizations serving communities at the intersection of multiple priority populations.

CBOs applied for and were awarded funds to develop work that best addresses the needs of the community within one or more of the following program areas:

  • Climate adaptation.
  • Communicable disease prevention.
  • Public health emergency preparedness.

The Public Health Division works in partnership with CBOs on long-term public health efforts. CBOs will focus on work aligned with their communities’ priorities in one or more of the following categories of funding:

  • Health education and communication.
  • Identifying and assessing community priorities.
  • Supporting prevention activities.
  • Policy development.

Dolly England, the Public Health Division’s Community Engagement Program manager, said the 44 CBOs receiving grants offered impressive approaches to ending health inequities in Oregon.

“It’s clear these CBOs know their communities well, and where the greatest needs exist,” England said. “We look forward to working closely with them to ensure everyone in the communities they serve has equitable access to essential public health services.

For more information about the OHA Public Health Division or to see a full list of the Public Health Equity grant awardees, please visit OHA’s CBO funding web page here.

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Oregon introduces new climate-related resources for some OHP members experiencing life transitions, health needs - 03/05/24

March 5, 2024

Media Contact: Amy Bacher, 503-405-5403, amy.bacher2@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon introduces new climate-related resources for some OHP members experiencing life transitions, health needs

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members with a medical need and who are facing certain life changes may now qualify for new climate-related benefits.  

Eligible OHP members may qualify for a new benefit to receive devices that provide healthy temperatures and clean air such as air conditioners, heaters and air filters, as well as mini refrigeration units for storing medications. Portable power supplies to operate medical equipment (i.e., ventilators during power outages) may also be available as a new benefit. 

The state is first extending eligibility for climate devices to people who are experiencing life transitions and often face social injustices. This includes people who are: currently or previously involved in the child welfare system; homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; transitioning to dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid; adults and youth recently discharged from Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs) or released from incarceration within the last year. Members must not live in a group setting or shelter and need to have access to consistent and safe power to use these devices. Climate resources must also be part of a member’s health need or treatment.

The new climate-related benefits are part of Oregon’s federally funded expansion of OHP coverage to include health-related social needs (HRSN) services, which can help maintain health and well-being, but are not traditionally thought of as medical services.

“People with lower incomes and chronic conditions are among those most likely to experience heat exhaustion, heat stroke or complications of other health conditions related to extreme climate events,” said Dave Baden, deputy director of OHA. “By connecting wrap-around health benefits to traditional Medicaid coverage, Oregon is recognizing that non-medical factors influence health outcomes. Access to these services will reduce health disparities and offer life-saving resources to people in Oregon.”

OHP members interested in receiving climate devices should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. If an OHP member is not sure which CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557. OHP members with Open Card coverage who want to learn more can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@kepro.com.

OHP members who don’t qualify for climate devices via HRSN services can still contact their CCO to see if climate supports are available through “flexible services” (also called health related services). Open Card OHP members who don’t qualify for climate devices can check with their city or county to learn about local programs providing climate devices. For non-OHP members in Oregon, some cities and counties have similar programs with limited supply of devices.

HRSN services are part of Oregon’s 2022 - 2027 1115 Medicaid waiver, which helps provide more federal funding and expanded coverage to OHP members. Medicaid waivers give states the flexibility to test new ways to deliver and pay for Medicaid benefits, with approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Oregon’s 1115 waiver includes several first-in-the-nation benefits tied to Medicaid coverage.

To learn more about OHA’s new climate-related resources, visit the web site.

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Oregon health officials urge people 65+ to get second COVID-19 shot - 03/05/24

March 5, 2024

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon health officials urge people 65+ to get second COVID-19 shot

Recommendation follows CDC announcement making older adults eligible for additional dose of 2023–2024 updated vaccine to protect against severe illness

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregonians 65 and older can now get an additional dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine following a federal announcement that opened eligibility to older adults, who are most at risk for severe outcomes of the virus.

Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Feb. 28 approval of a second dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine released last fall can provide increased protection for older adults.

“Vaccine-induced immunity can wane over time, but a second dose restores that protection, which can help keep people in this particularly vulnerable group from being hospitalized or even dying,” Cieslak said. “We urge everyone 65 and older to talk to their health care or vaccine provider about getting a second COVID-19 vaccine dose.”

Older adults are eligible to get a second 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose if it’s been at least four months since they received their first dose of the 2023-2024 vaccine. People can get the vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic, federally qualified health center (FQHC) or pharmacy. They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccinefinder.org, or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.

Because the COVID-19 vaccine, like the seasonal influenza vaccine, is available on the commercial pharmaceutical market, health care and vaccine providers order it directly from vaccine manufacturers. The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines are available from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax, and studies show all are safe and effective at protecting against serious illness from COVID-19.

Second doses of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine have already been available to anyone 6 months and older who is moderately or severely immunocompromised. The CDC opened second-dose eligibility to this group in October 2023, but the agency encourages people to talk to their health care provider about whether a second dose is right for them.

While the state has seen a steady decline in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and percentage of positive COVID-19 tests since late December, the virus is still circulating briskly in Oregon communities. That’s why OHA continues to recommend anyone who has not received the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine to get it as soon as they can, as vaccination remains the best way for people to protect themselves against the virus.

The agency also has been aligned with recent CDC recommendations that urge people infected with COVID-19 in the general population, including K–12 settings, to stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and all other COVID-19 symptoms are improving; to wear a high-quality mask when around others indoors; and to avoid individuals at increased risk for COVID-19.

Cieslak doesn’t anticipate a second dose of the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine for the general population – those who aren’t 65 and older or immunocompromised – becoming available anytime soon.

“The rest of us will probably have to wait until next fall to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine as a seasonal shot along with the annual flu shot,” he said. “But younger people who have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine should feel confident they still have protection against serious disease, and a second dose is not needed right now.”

Cieslak recommends people contact their health care provider or pharmacist to confirm they have the vaccine in stock, as well as call their health insurer in advance to confirm coverage. While vaccines recommended by the CDC must be covered by insurance per the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies have one year to update their systems. This sometimes results in people being charged for vaccines. If you learn that your insurance company hasn’t yet updated its system with the latest CDC recommendation, or if you don’t have insurance, search for COVID-19 vaccines using the Vaccines.gov, and narrow your search to locations that participate in the Bridge Access Program to receive no-cost COVID-19 vaccines for adults without insurance.

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OHA Director visits northern coast as part of regional tours - 03/04/24

March 4, 2024

Media Contact: Amber Shoebridge, amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov, 503-931-9586

OHA Director visits northern coast as part of regional tours

(Portland, OR) The new director of Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, recently spent time on the northern coast to learn firsthand from local leaders, providers and advocates about the challenges facing people in the area.

“Geographic equity is critical to health equity. Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare no matter where they live,” said Dr. Hathi. “Yet that’s made difficult when even some basic services, from a stable internet connection to safe drinking water, are not consistently available – while statewide challenges, from workforce shortages to unaffordable housing, are just as real.”

[Here is a link to the video of what Dr. Hathi said she observed during her visit to the northern coast]

Health and behavioral health leaders expressed their appreciation that Dr. Hathi was taking the time to learn about the varying needs across the state.

“It’s really easy to get ensconced in the Willamette Valley perspective and the state is so much bigger than that. All the various communities, we have our own strengths, our own uniqueness, that make this place really special to us,” said Amy Baker, Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare’s executive director. “We’re going to solve problems in different ways depending on the strengths of our partnerships and existing resources. I think the only way you can really get a feel for that is if you come to the local community and hear about it.”

Dr. Hathi ended her time in Astoria with a behind-the-scenes tour of Clatsop Community Action’s shelter, Columbia Inn, which opened in October 2023. The emergency shelter provides accommodations to individuals on one side of the facility and space for families with children on the other side. Clatsop County has the largest rate of homelessness per capita in the state.  

Dr. Hathi will spend the next several months visiting all major regions in Oregon – meeting with and talking to community leaders, health care providers, Tribal leaders, local public health officials, and non-profit partners about their biggest needs from the state and the state health agency – to ensure those are represented and addressed as she shapes the agency’s next chapter.

Here is a link to B-roll footage, an audio file and still pictures from Dr. Hathi's most recent trip.

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Oregon among top states keeping people covered; announces timeline for remaining renewals - 02/21/24

February 21, 2024

Media contacts:

Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843 erica.heartquist@oha.oregon.gov

Jake Sunderland, Oregon Department of Human Services,  Jake.Sunderland@odhs.oregon.gov, 503-877-0170

Oregon among top states keeping people covered; announces timeline for remaining renewals

More than one million people are keeping their Oregon Health Plan benefits due to Oregon’s efforts to expand coverage options

SALEM, Ore. — With more than 85 percent of the state’s 1.5 million renewals complete, 5 out of 6 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits.

Oregon’s 85 percent renewal rate continues to be the second highest in a national comparison of state renewal rates by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy organization. KFF analysis also shows Oregon also has saved more people from unnecessary renewal paperwork than any other state via the automated renewal process. Oregon’s high renewal rates are also due to proactive efforts by the state to keep people covered, such as structuring the renewal schedule, extended response timelines, and the upcoming OHP Bridge program for adults with higher incomes.

During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the federal government allowed states to keep people on Medicaid benefits. This ended when the pandemic emergency ended, and since April 2023 Oregon has been making sure everyone on OHP is still eligible.

At this point in the PHE unwinding process, Oregon has sent the initially planned 10 waves of renewal letters. About 6 percent of members are still responding to those initial waves. The remaining renewals, about 8 percent of the total, will occur over the summer.

Members who have not received a renewal yet should:

  • Keep their address and contact information up to date.
  • Check their mail or online ONE account for their renewal letter.
  • Do what the renewal letter asks as soon as possible.

Anyone concerned they missed their letter should get help with their renewal via one of the ways to find help listed below.

Although most people are keeping coverage, approximately 200,000 people will lose or have reduced OHP benefits and need to consider other coverage options.

  • People who do not have coverage through an employer or Medicare may be able to enroll through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and get financial help. Most people who enroll through HealthCare.gov qualify for this help.
  • The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is sending information to people who are no longer eligible for OHP benefits, advising of potential coverage options through the Marketplace.
  • People who have recently lost OHP benefits can enroll anytime until July 31, 2024, or within 60 days of their benefits ending.
  • For more information and ways to get help signing up for Marketplace, Medicare, or employer coverage, see “What to do if OHP is ending” below.

Extended unwinding schedule

On February 13, the federal government approved Oregon’s plan for the remaining roughly 107,000 renewals.

Many of these renewals were affected by a federal request for more than 30 states to review automated renewal processes, or restorations of some Oregon Supplemental Income Program Medical (OSIPM) benefits. A May 2024 update to Oregon’s automated renewal process will enable Oregon to use the new process for the remaining renewals.

Renewal letters will be sent to members in four waves between June and September. Members will still receive 90 days to respond, and 60 days’ advance notice before any termination or reduction in benefits. This means the final responses would be due in December 2024, and the final closures will happen in February 2025.

In the meantime, data about these renewals does not appear in the Medical Redeterminations Dashboard. For consistency, data below continues to use the December total number of members affected by unwinding.

February OHP renewal data

As of Feb. 17, 2024, 1,241,196 people have completed the renewal process. This represents 85.3 percent of all OHP and Medicaid members.

  • 1,029,357 people (83.6 percent) were renewed and kept their benefits.
  • 187,789 people (15.1 percent) were found ineligible.
  • 15,076 people (1.2 percent) had a reduction in their benefits. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs that help pay their Medicare costs.

Find help renewing your benefits

  1. Learn more about how to renew your Oregon Health Plan medical coverage.
  2. Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. All relay calls are accepted, and help is available in multiple languages. Wait times are lowest between 7 and 8 a.m.
  3. Visit or call a local Oregon Department of Human Services office. People can find their local office at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/office-finder.aspx.
  4. Visit a community partner for free in-person help. To find one near you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp(English) or orhim.info/ayuda(Spanish).

The large number of OHP renewals, along with renewals of long-term services and supports, may cause greater wait times, delays, and possible interruptions to people’s OHP benefits. The fastest way members can provide an update is by going to benefits.oregon.gov and logging into their ONE online account.

What to do if your OHP is ending:

  • First, review the case summary in your letter to make sure the information used to make the decision was correct. If that information has changed, notify the state. You can call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted) or find other options to connect at benefits.oregon.gov. If the information on file for you is correct and you disagree with the decision, you can request a hearing. Learn more about hearings.
  • Explore options through an employer. If you, your spouse, or a parent are working, you may be eligible for health coverage through that employer. Talk to your manager or Human Resources department to see if you qualify. You will have a special enrollment period to enroll mid-year due to loss of OHP benefits.
  • If you have or are eligible for Medicare: For help understanding and choosing the right Medicare options, go to OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find an insurance agent or a counselor at the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA). You can also call SHIBA at 800-722-4134.

If you need to sign up for Medicare for the first time, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or find a local office. You can also enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.

  • Nearly 80 percent of Oregonians qualify for financial help through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to answer a few quick questions, find out how much you can save and find out how much coverage may cost you. You can also call the Marketplace Transition Help Center at 833-699-6850 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted).
  • Need free local help finding other coverage? Visit https://OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find professional help near you.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are committed to transparency and will continue to send monthly information about medical coverage among Oregonians as the agencies continue to track the programs. Check our ONE Eligibility Operations Dashboards for more frequent updates on medical renewal data and wait times for callers to the ONE Customer Service Center.

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